Beyond Hanoi’s Old Quarter, historic temples and bustling streets lies another side of the capital — one shaped by generations of artisans and traditional skills passed down through families.
From pottery and silk weaving to incense, conical hats and bamboo crafts, Hanoi’s traditional craft villages preserve stories that have been part of Vietnamese life for centuries.
These living craft villages offer travelers a closer look at Vietnamese culture through local artisans, traditional techniques and centuries-old craftsmanship.
Hanoi Traditional Craft Villages at a Glance
Some of the most rewarding traditional craft villages to visit around Hanoi include Bat Trang for pottery, Van Phuc for silk weaving, Quang Phu Cau for incense, Chuong for conical hats and Phu Vinh for bamboo and rattan weaving.
Each offers a different perspective on Vietnamese craftsmanship, from spiritual traditions and rural life to ceramics, textiles and sustainable natural materials.
Hanoi has around 1,350 craft villages and villages with crafts, covering 47 of Vietnam’s 52 traditional craft categories – making traditional craftsmanship an important part of the capital’s cultural identity. (Source: Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports)
1. Bat Trang Pottery Village – Centuries of Vietnamese Ceramics
Artisan Nguyen Van Loi – Cre: battranghanoi.gov.vn
Located along the Red River, about 13 km from central Hanoi, Bat Trang Pottery Village is one of Vietnam’s best-known traditional ceramic villages, with a history of more than 700 years. Generations of local artisans have developed and passed down pottery-making techniques, making Bat Trang an important centre of Vietnamese ceramics.
Artisan Pham Thi Minh Chau – Cre: battranghanoi.gov.vn
Bat Trang pottery is known for its variety of forms, glazes and decorative styles. From bowls, tea sets and household items to decorative pieces and artworks, each product goes through several stages — preparing the clay, shaping, decorating, glazing and firing — requiring both skill and experience.
For visitors, Bat Trang offers the opportunity to experience the craft firsthand. At local workshops, you can try shaping clay on a pottery wheel, visit artisan studios, explore the old village lanes and discover how traditional techniques are being adapted to contemporary ceramic design.
Today, Bat Trang continues to preserve its centuries-old heritage while evolving with new generations of artisans. In 2025, it was officially honoured as a World Craft Village for Pottery by the World Crafts Council, recognising the village’s outstanding cultural and craftsmanship values.
2. Van Phuc Silk Village – A Heritage Woven in Silk
Cre: Lao Dong Newspaper
Located about 10 km from central Hanoi, Van Phuc Silk Village is one of Vietnam’s oldest and most renowned silk-weaving villages, with a history of more than 1,000 years. For generations, local artisans have preserved traditional weaving techniques, creating silk known for its softness, lightness and natural sheen.
Van Phuc silk is distinguished by its delicate weaving and traditional patterns, many inspired by Vietnamese nature and decorative motifs. Once closely associated with traditional clothing, particularly the ao dai, Van Phuc silk is now also used for scarves, clothing, accessories and contemporary decorative products.
For visitors, Van Phuc offers a closer look at the art of Vietnamese silk weaving. You can observe artisans working at their looms, learn how threads are transformed into patterned fabrics, explore local workshops and shop for silk products made within the village.
Cre: Lao Dong Newspaper
Today, Van Phuc continues to balance centuries-old craftsmanship with contemporary design. In 2025, it was officially honoured as a World Craft Village for Silk Weaving by the World Crafts Council, recognising both its cultural heritage and the generations of artisans who continue to preserve the craft.
3. Quang Phu Cau Incense Village – Colors, Fragrance and Spiritual Tradition
Located about 35 km south of central Hanoi, Quang Phu Cau Incense Village is known for its incense-making tradition of more than 100 years. Passed down through generations, the craft remains an important part of local life and has transformed the village into one of Hanoi’s most distinctive traditional craft communities.
Making incense involves several stages, from splitting and preparing bamboo to dyeing, drying and adding fragrant materials. The village is especially recognised for its striking red and pink incense sticks, often arranged in large bundles and spread across courtyards to dry beneath the sun.
Beyond their visual beauty, these incense sticks carry deep cultural meaning. Incense used at ancestral altars, temples and pagodas, as well as during Tet and important ceremonies as an expression of remembrance, respect and gratitude.
For visitors, Quang Phu Cau offers a more hands-on way to discover this traditional craft. You can try some stages of incense making, such as colouring the incense sticks or rolling the incense mixture onto the sticks, while learning about the process from local artisans. You can also take memorable photos among the beautifully arranged bundles of colourful incense.
4. Chuong Conical Hat Village – The Story Behind Vietnam’s Non La
Located more than 30 km southwest of central Hanoi, Chuong Conical Hat Village has preserved its traditional hat-making craft for around 300 years. Passed down through generations of local families, the village is one of the best-known places around Hanoi for discovering how the iconic Vietnamese non la is made.
Creating a conical hat requires patience and precision. Palm leaves are carefully selected and prepared before being arranged over circular bamboo frames, then stitched together by hand. The result is a lightweight yet practical hat traditionally used to protect people from both the sun and rain.
The Non la has become one of the most recognisable symbols of Vietnamese culture, closely associated with rural life, traditional dress and the graceful image of Vietnamese women.
For visitors, Chuong offers an opportunity to experience the craft up close. At local workshops, you can meet local artisans, learn how a traditional conical hat is made and try some simple steps yourself, such as arranging the palm leaves or stitching them onto the bamboo frame.
5. Phu Vinh Bamboo and Rattan Village – Crafting Nature by Hand
Located about 30 km west of central Hanoi, Phu Vinh Bamboo and Rattan Village has preserved its traditional weaving craft for more than 400 years. What began with practical household objects has evolved into a distinctive craft shaped by generations of skilled artisans.
Bamboo and rattan are carefully selected, split, treated and woven by hand into baskets, furniture, lamps, decorative pieces and artworks. Today, local artisans continue to preserve traditional techniques while adapting them to contemporary design, combining cultural heritage with natural and sustainable materials. The village has also received international recognition from the World Crafts Council for its bamboo and rattan weaving tradition.
For visitors, Phu Vinh offers the chance to meet local artisans, observe the weaving process and try simple bamboo or rattan weaving techniques, while discovering the patience and craftsmanship behind each handmade piece.
Hanoi’s traditional craft villages are more than places where beautiful objects are made. Each village tells a story of craftsmanship, cultural identity and traditions passed down through generations, offering travellers a meaningful way to experience Vietnamese culture beyond the city’s familiar landmarks.
At Viet Orchid Travel, we create private and personalised journeys that bring you closer to local communities, artisans and authentic Vietnamese traditions. Let us help you discover Hanoi’s living craft heritage and experience the stories behind every handmade creation.
Image Credits: With appreciation to all photographers and creators whose images help showcase Vietnam’s traditional crafts and cultural heritage. For some images, the original source could not be identified. If you are the copyright owner and would prefer an image removed, please contact us and we will be happy to remove it.
Viet Orchid Travel
Explore our sample tours featuring Vietnam’s traditional crafts and culture:
Vietnam Through Crafts, Culture & Cuisine 15D14N Package
Hidden Charms of Northern Vietnam